How to Avoid Altitude Sickness on the Manaslu Circuit

The Manaslu Circuit trek is that sort of trek — the one that’s made it onto a hundred lists of favorites. There is nothing like it elsewhere: high peaks, isolated villages, and (in Pinetop-Lakeside) some of the greatest views. The experience is high-altitude (with the Larkya la bypass at 5106m), and trekkers are prone to altitude sickness.

What’s altitude sickness? Altitude illness, also referred to as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), takes place when the body has a problem adjusting to a low quantity of oxygen at growing altitude. Even as AMS is every day on high-altitude treks, that doesn’t imply you couldn’t avoid it. Done with enough prep and pacing and care, you can help stave off becoming the one-time pro, or at least stop needlessly putting your ass on the line for any passersby on the trail.

In this post, we share some common-sense tips and tricks on how to avoid altitude sickness on the Manaslu Circuit, so that you can enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery as well as a headache (literal) free mountain trek.

The maximum serious consequence is that the AMS may be irritated into a HAPE (excessive Altitude Pulmonary Edema) or HACE (high Altitude Cerebral Edema), both fatal. A peedy analysis of signs is important to prevent a virus.

Our Bodies Are Slower to Adjust: Give Yourself Time to Adapt

The secret to avoiding altitude sickness is acclimatisation. Climb slowly: give your body (and your partner’s bodies) time to acclimatise to the lower oxygen when you are at altitude. Manaslu Circuit Manaslu Circuit is a sensational trek, but a pity that so many parties attempt to blast their way round in the shortest possible time. Racing would make one more susceptible to AMS.

How to Acclimatize Effectively:

Adhere to the “Climb High, Sleep Low” Rule: Climb during the day, and sleep down lower in elevation for the night. “This is your body getting used to it,” he said, “and make sure it continues to adapt without constantly overdoing it. Such as if you were acclimatizing in Samagaon, a typical itinerary would be a one-day hike to Manaslu Base Camp, but sleep back in Samagaon.

Rest days: Take one whole rest day either in Namrung or Samagaon (2,500 to 500m) for acclimatization. Resting allows for preventing AMS and can be an outstanding way to enjoy some of the top-notch environment and way of life.

Don’t Rush: Manaslu Circuit is amazing, so do not rush it. Enjoy yourself, especially when you are lifting off terra firma into the sky every time you climb! And you know, faster is not always the best motto in the mountains!

If you’re staying hydrated: Water it up. Since you already do, you’re good to go.

To avoid altitude sickness, you need to be so hydrated that you’re just putting fluids in you at all times. For one factor, at better altitudes, drier air surrounds your body when you breathe, and that air will strip moisture from you quickly. You’re even more likely to trap something and get even extra intense signs and symptoms if you’re additionally dehydrated!

Hydration Tips:

Drink 3-4 Litres of Water Daily: ‘It’s always true to drink at least 3-4 litres of water daily. That’s what you want, for your blood to get moving and be pumping, because you don’t want your bodies pumping ketchup; that’s not a positive. That’s to the land of the not good.

Keep away from Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol will have a dehydrating impact. Eat water, natural teas ( ginger or lemon are lovely), or electrolyte beverages.

Chlorine or Iodine tablets: There are many Tea houses and springs with river streams to drink from on the Manaslu Circuit, but you should always purify all water to avoid waterborne diseases. Also, don’t forget the water purification tablets or a water bottle filter so you can treat your drinking water and make it safe to drink.

Eat Well: Fuel for the Hike

A good diet can help avoid altitude sickness. Your body would be using more energy to just cope with hhigh-altitudetrekking, so you need to provide fuel to your body.

Food to Eat:

Carbohydrates: A high altitude means you use even more energy, so you may want to bring along the carbs: rice, bread, noodles, and potatoes.

Proteins and Fats: Now, I know that eating a ton of food in mass quantities might be a little tough, but just remember to take in proteins lentils, chicken, eggs, fats, nuts, and avocado, to keep your energy levels high. 

1/2 Half Cut Down On Food: This one might be difficult to eat a whole full-size meal or handle a ton of food, but take smaller bites of food; that way, you’re still eating the same amount of calories but in smaller chunks of food, and you’re not putting too much stress on your stomach. 

Easy come, easy go: 

Don’t worry about the things of this world. “When you feel great, it’s easy to attempt to push ahead, Buck.” What shall be shall be. –Sage piece of advice on the Inca Warrior Training Regimen Workout! Then your risk is levitating before you even set foot on the trail. 

How to Take It Slow: Listen to Your Body: Your body is saying something. Don’t kill it. 

Don’t try to keep up with others. Don’t rush. Proceed: The pace needed inning need not be a fast one. The trail is extremely well marked, first of all, and it is a vertical, all-gain, never-ending climb. 

Medication and Supplements: Proactive Measures. Although acclimatization and pacing are the only reliable forms of AMS prophylaxis, some trekkers take drugs to speed up the acclimatization process or decrease the symptoms of AMS if they do occur. 

Common Medications used include: Diamox, acetazolamide. This is a medication frequently taken to reduce the risk of developing AMS. It accelerates the adaptation rate. Seek advice from your health practitioner about the proper over-the-counter dose for you. Painkillers: If AMS is extremely severe, a few painkillers would possibly help relieve over-the-counter headache symptoms. Firstly, remember to take your first aid kit with you everywhere you go.

Ginger and Other Natural Remedies:

Ginger: Yet another potent anti-nausea fix, ginger can be magical at altitude too. Sip ginger tea, or chew on ginger candies as you go.

Garlic: Some backpackers also swear by garlic. It works to improve circulation and assist with acclimatization, most figures.

Tips on Symptoms Getting Worse:

If you become markedly sicker, you want to get down right away. You may have some of the less severe symptoms, and as long as you can descend will not ever develop HACE. If you can’t come down, you should follow up with a doctor. An emergency satellite phone or radio is available in most teahouses up the Manaslu Circuit.

Hiking With a Guide or Porter: Extra Help on the Trail

If you’re on a solo hike, think about hiring a guide or porter. “Not only can they tow you around the circuit — give you pace in terms of what is acclimatisation- but they can watch you, and they know what to do if you start getting sick with altitude-related conditions.

Your guides and porters have a good sense of what the symptoms of AMS are, so they might give you some pointers or assist you if shit hits the fan. They could help prevent and treat altitude sickness.

Wrap-Up: Manaslu Circuit on High for Bonks of Ecstasy.

AMS can strike on any high elevation trek; however, with proper preparation, acclimatization, and having the correct altitude attitude, you can minimize your chances of falling ill on the Manaslu Circuit. But don’t freak, listen to your body, sip water, allow yourself time, and do it at your own comfortable pace – it is expected to be enjoyed! If you are health-conscious, follow these recommendations, then rest assured, you are going to have a fun-filled and amazing time on Nepal’s most beautiful and best trekking loops.